As the first black female host of one of fashion's biggest evenings, Issa Rae used her time hosting the CFDA Awards to publicly recognize the contribution of black culture in fashion. Throughout the night, and on the red carpet, the Insecure creator praised black designers and style influencers and called out the industry's tendency to overlook their contributions and perpetuate cultural appropriation.

Issa first took aim at the fashion industry during Monday evening's event when she joked, "We've gone from having white designers study black culture to make black clothes for white people that are too expensive for black people to buy to [having] a black man bringing black culture to a historically white fashion house making clothes too expensive for everybody." This joke seems to reference black designer Virgil Abloh's recent appointment as Artistic Menswear Director of the legendary design house, Louis Vuitton.

At some point during the night, Issa even poked a bit of fun at herself, and Virgil's best friend and business partner, Kanye West, who wasn't present that night, but whose wife Kim Kardashian was there to receive the CFDA Style Influencer Award. “I’m about as fashionable as Kanye is black ― only when it’s convenient. That joke was my choice, just like slavery,” said Issa. The joke made fun of Kanye's previous comments that suggested slavery in the U.S was a choice for African people.

Aside from calling out cultural appropriation, Issa also showed her support for black-owned fashion brands by exclusively wearing items created by black designers. On the red carpet she donned a Pyer Moss sparkly, long blue tunic with a belt that featured the words "Every Ni**a is A Star", referencing the 1970's song by Jamaican singer Boris Gardiner that was previously sampled in Kendrick Lamar's song "Wesley's Theory". While carrying out her hosting duties Issa also sported pieces from Mateo New York, Sergio Hudson, Brother Vellies, Shvny, and her own stylist Jason Rembert's label.

Although black designers Virgil Abloh, Aurora James of Brother Vellies and Kerby Jean-Raymond of Pyer Moss were all nominated for awards last night, none of them took home the big prize. However, because of Issa's statements last night, the internet is currently buzzing about her fabulous looks and engaging in important conversations about the lack of respect black designers and fashion influencers are shown in the fashion industry. This goes to prove that even when others may not be, Issa is still "rooting for everybody black".